Escrow assembly for a vending machine

ABSTRACT

AN ESCROW ASSEMBLY FOR A VENDING MACHINE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PERMIT VENDING OF ITEMS WORTH A PRICE BETWEEN, FOR EXAMPLE, 5 CENTS AND 1 DOLLAR AND 50 CENTS. THE ESCROW ASSEMBLY INCLUDES A CREDIT DEVICE FOR TOTALING THE COINS DEPOSITED IN THE VENDING MACHINE BETWEEN THE PRODUCT PURCHASES, AN INTERLOCK SYSTEM INTERCONNECTING THE CREDIT AND A PRODUCT DISPENSER TO PREVENT DISPENSER FOR BEING ACTUATED UNTIL A TOTAL SUM EQUAL TO THE COAST OF A PRODUCT IS DEPOSITED, AND AN ACCUMULATOR BOX POSITIONED TO RECEIVE TEMPERAILY THE COINS AS THEY ARE DEPOSITE AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN TOTALED BY THE CREDIT DEVICE. THE ACCUMULATOR BOX IS   ADAPTED TO DIRECT THE COINS THEREIN TO EITHER A COIN BOX OR A COIN RETURN CHUTE DEPENDING ON WETHER THE PRODUCT DISPENSER IS OPERATED OT A COIN RETURN DEVICE IS OPERATED BY THE COMSUMER. ALL COMPONENTS OF THE ESCROW ASSEMBLY ARE MECHANICALLY INTERCONNECTED SO THAT THE VENDING MACHINE DOES NOT REQUIRE AN ELECTRICAL TO PERMIT OPERATION BY A CONSUMER.

United States Patent [72] inventor William H. Rowekamp C lncinnati, Ohio[21] Appl. No 808,961 [22] Filed Mar. 20, 1969 [45] Patented June 28,1971 [73] Assignee William F. Shepherd Inc.

Cincinnati, Ohio [54] ESCROW ASSEMBLY FOR A VENDING MACHINE 3 Claims, 9Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C| 194/2 [51] 607i 1/00 [50] Field of Search 194/18, 57, 2,(.02), (Coin Return) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,957,568 10/1960 Gabrielsen 194/18 2,991,867 7/1961 Schuller 194/182,993,581 7/1961 Holstein 194/57 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. TollbergAttorney-Wood, Herron and Evans ABSTRACT: An escrow assembly for avending machine that is designed to permit vending of items worth aprice between, for example, 5 cents and 1 dollar and 50 cents. Theescrow assembly includes a credit device for totaling the coinsdeposited in the vending machine between the product purchases, aninterlock system interconnecting the credit device and a productdispenser to prevent the product dispenser from being actuated until atotal sum equal to the cost of a product is deposited, and anaccumulator box p0si-. tioned to receive temporarily the coins as theyare deposited after they have been totaled by the credit device. Theaccumulator box is adapted to direct the coins therein to either a coinbox or a coin return chute depending on whether the product dispenser isoperated or a coin return device is operated by the consumer. Allcomponents of the escrow assembly are mechanically interconnected sothat the vending machine does not require an electrical source to permitoperation by a consumer.

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ESCROW ASSEMBLY FOR A VENDING MACHINE This invention relates to vendingmachines, and, more particularly, relates to an improved escrow assemblyfor a vending machine.

The vending machine industry has undergone a great period of growth overthe years in terms of dollar volume as well as in terms of differenttypes of products sold. Historically, vending machines were initiallydesigned to vend candy-type products for 1 cent or cents. More recently,such candy-type products have been increased to cents or cents perpackage. There are escrow assemblies known which are completelymechanical so as to permit operation of vending machines for ten cent orfifteen cent products without need for an electrical source.

However, over the years it has become apparent that vending machines canbe used to sell many different types of products in addition to thecandy-type products. Hence, it has been found desirable to provide avending machine that is readily adaptable to the sale of a producthaving substantially any price between, for example, 5 cents and 1dollar and 50 cents. To the best of my knowledge the escrow assembliesassociated with known vending machines capable of selling products insuch a wide price range have all required an electrical source topermit-the machine to be operated by a consumer.

A vending machine is basically made up of a coin rejector, an escrowassembly, and a product dispenser. To obtain a product from the machinea consumer deposits a coin in the vending machines coin slot. The coinfirst proceeds through the coin rejector where it is accepted as a validcoin or rejected as either a slug of the wrong denomination. ln vendingmachines of the type capable of dispensing products having a valuegreater than, for example, 15 cents, once the coin had passed throughthe coin rejector it proceeds into the escrow assembly where it istotaled by a credit device. After the coin had been registered by thecredit device it proceeds into an escrow accumulator box where it istemporarily held until the total coinage required for the desiredproduct is registered by the credit device.

When the total coinage required has been deposited, the productdispenser, that is, the apparatus for releasing the product from themachine, can be completely actuated to provide the consumer with theselected product. When the total coinage required has not been depositedin the vending machine an interlock system interconnected with thecredit device and the product dispenser cooperate to prevent the productdispenser from being completely actuated, that is, the interlock systemestablishes a lock on the system, so that a product cannot be dispensed.Further, the product dispenser is interconnected with the accumulatorbox so that when the product dispenser is actuated to dispense a productpackage the coins deposited in the accumulator box are directed to acoin box in the vending machine.

It is common practice to provide such an escrow assembly with a coinreturn device that permits the consumer to direct any coins that may behung up in the coin rejector, or that may have been deposited in theaccumulator box, to a coin return chute if he desires not to purchasethe product once he has commenced depositing coins into the vendingmachine.

As far as I am aware of the prior art, the coin rejector and the variousparts of the escrow assembly, namely, the coin return device, the creditdevice, the interlock system, and the accumulator box, are generally atleast partially interrelated one with the other and with the productdispenser by electrical circuit means in that type of machine that canaccommodate products of a wide price range, for example, 5 cents to 1dollar and 50 cents. Hence, the credit system, that is, the coinrejector plus the escrow assembly, and product dispenser of such amachine requires a source of electrical energy. This makes the vendingmachine absolutely useless unless it is sufficiently near an electricalenergy source so as to be reached with an extension cord. It has beenfound to be most desirable, in certain display areas that proveeconomically attractive for vending machines of this type, that thecredit system of the vending machine be completely mechanical instructural form so that it may be consumer operated without anelectrical source.

Hence, it has been a main objective of this invention to provide avending machine having a completely mechanical escrow assembly that isuseful for the sale of products at prices anywhere between, for example,5 cents and l dollar and 50 cents, so that the machine can be consumeroperated with no electrical source being required.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating an escrow assembly inaccordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 showing theescrow assembly associated with a coin return device and a productdispenser in an operating environment;

FIG. 3 is a side view similar to a portion of FIG. 2 illustrating thecredit device in the full price position and the product dispensercommencing its vending cycle;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the product dispenser inthe dispensing or fully extended position;

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the coinreturn device in the extended or fully actuated position;

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view illustrating the ac cumulatorbox in position for directing coins to the vending machine's coin box;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating theaccumulator box in position for directing coins to the vending machinescoin return chute:

HO. 8 is a detailed side view illustrating the jam lock in lockingposition relative to the credit device; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the main features ofa typical credit device.

GENERAL ENVIRONMENT This invention is illustrated in a vending machineenvironment in FIG. 2 wherein there is shown a front face" 11 for avending machine housing which presents, in vertical relation from top tobottom, a coin return plunger 12, a coin feed slot 13, a productdispenser handle 14 and an open access window or port 15. FIG. 2 alsogenerally illustrates credit system 16 which cooperates with the coinreturn plunger 12, the coin feed slot 13, the product handle 14 and theaccess window 15, which credit system includes a coin rejector 17 andthe escrow assembly 18 of this invention.

The coin rejector 17 functions to examine all coins deposited by aconsumer in the vending machine coin slot 13 to determine whether or notit is a valid coin or a slug or a coin of the wrong denomination. Theescrow assembly 18 includes a credit device 19 for totaling the coinsdeposited in the vending machine between product purchases, a mechanicalinterlock system 20 interconnecting the credit device and the productdispenser handle 14 to prevent the handle from being pulled to dispensea product until a total sum equal to the cost of a product is deposited,and an accumulator box 21 positioned to receive temporarily the coins asthey are deposited after they have been totaled by the credit device.Further, the escrow assembly 18 includes, as part of the structuralcombination of this invention, first means 22 interconnecting theproduct dispenser handle 14 with the accumulator box 21 to direct thecoins to a coin box 70 when a product is dispensed, such first meansbeing in the form of mechanical linkages. Further, and also forming apart of the structural combination of this invention, there is providedsecond means 24 in the form of mechanical linkages interconnecting thecoin return plunger 12 and the accumulator box 21, the second meansbeing capable of operating the accumulator box to direct coins thereinto the coin return chute 15.

The coin rejector 17, credit device 19 and accumulator box 21 areprovided in vertical or stacked relation in that order from top tobottom as is illustrated particularly in FIG. 2. Coin feed chute 28directs a coin deposited in coin feed slot 13 to mouth 29 of the coinrejector 17. The coin, if it is an acceptable coin, passes through therejector 17 to actuate the credit device 19 where it is totaled. Afterpassing through the credit device 19 the coin falls to a temporaryresting place in accumulator box 21.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The coin rejector l7 utilized with the escrowassembly 18 of this invention may be of any known structuralconfiguration, such coin rejectors being commonly known to personsskilled in the art.

The coin return plunger 12 is part of a coin return device 30, see FIG.2. The coin return plunger 12 is continually spring biased toward theface 11 of the vending machine by spring 31 and pivot link 32 that ispivoted at stud 33. The coin return device 30 also includes a reject arm34 pivotally mounted to stud 35 at its elbow. The end of the reject armsforearm mounts two reject thumbs 36, 37, one of which is positioned todepress actuator arm 38 of the coin rejector 17 and the other of whichis adapted to depress the coin re turn link 39 of the second means 24.The coin return device 30 is operated by pulling out the coin re turnhandle 12 away from the face 11 of the vending machine to force a guidedlink 40 against the coin reject arm s upper arm and, thereby, pivot thereject arm 34 to activate the coin rejector 17 and depress the coinreturn link 39.

The credit device 19 includes an adjustable credit indicator 43 movablefrom a zero price position whereat no coins are deposited, see F1012, toa full price position whereat the full price ofa product is deposited,see FIG. 4. The position of the indicator 43 betweenthe zero priceposition and the full price position is solely dependent on the totalcoinage deposited in the vending machine. The credit indicator 43,illustrated in FOG. 9, includes an indexing credit wheel 44 fixed to adrive shaft 45 that is rotated by the coins as they drop past sequencingmechanism, not shown, such sequencing mechanism being known to the priorart. In combination with the indexing wheel 44 is provided a selectingwheel 46 that is biased on post 47 toward the indexing wheel by leafspring 48. When assembled, the selecting wheel 46 can be rotatedrelative to the indexing wheel 44 to move selecting wheel marker 49 toany position between and 30 on the indexing wheel scale 50. When eachincrement between 0 and 30 represents cents the credit device can be setto any value in increments of 5 cents between 0 and $1.50. The outerperiphery of the selecting wheel 46 is interrupted by notch 51 thereinwhich is moved relative to the indexing wheel 44 as the selecting wheelmoves. The credit indicator 43 further includes a return pin 52 that isconnected to indexing wheel 44 by means (not shown) known to the priorart, the return pin being provided to return the credit total to itshome or zero price position after coins have been deposited that movedit toward the full price position.

The drive shaft 45 and, hence, the credit indicator 43 and the notch 51it carries as well as the return pin 52, are rotated clockwise (in allthe FIGS.) as coins fall past it from the coin rejector 17 toward theaccumulator box 21. Such sequencing mechanism, not shown, by means ofwhich the credit indicator 43 and return pin 52 are rotated oneincrement for each 5 cents deposited is not illustrated in detailbecause such structural combinations are well known to persons skilledin the art. The preferred credit device 19 found most useful in theenvironment of this invention is a Series 13-03 Mechanical Accumulatormanufactured by National Rejectors, Inc., 5100 San Francisco Avenue, St.Louis, Missouri.

The product dispenser handle 14 is adapted to reciprocate through a hole56 in the "face" 11 ofthe vending machine for dispensing a productpackage. The handle 14 is part of a product dispenser which furtherincludes a main shaft 57 which, when rotated by pulling out on thehandle 14, sequentially actuates other parts of the dispenser mechanism,not shown, to dispense a product package from that dispenser mechanismssupply magazine, not shown, to the access window 15 where it may bepicked up by a consumer. Such product dispenser mechanisms are wellknown to those skilled in the art. The handle 14 is related to the mainshaft 57 through a connector arm 58. Wheel 59 on arm 58 is positioned toengage cam surface 60 of ratchet plate 61, this ratchet plate beingfixed to main shaft 57. Hence, ratchet plate 61 is rotated clockwise todrive main shaft 57 as the arm 58 is horizontally reciprocated throughthe face 11 of the vending machine. Such pivoting of the ratchet plate61 through a clockwise arc, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, is translatedto interlock system 20 of the escrow assembly 18 through intermediatearm 62 pivotally connected at one end to the ratchet plate 61 and at theother end to the tip of one arm of bellcrank 63. Bellcrank 63 is pivotedat its elbow 64 to base plate 65 of the escrow assembly. The other armtip of bellcrank 63 engages stud 66 fixed to slide plate 67. Thus, thebellcrank 63 and the intermediate arm 62 serve to interconnect theproduct dispenser with the interlock system 20 of the escrow assembly18.

The escrow assembly 18 also includes the accumulator box 21 that ispositioned to receive coins temporarily after they have passed throughthe coin rejector 17 and the been totaled by the credit device 19. Theaccumulator box 21 is adapted to direct the coins either toward a coinreturn chute 71 or toward a coin box depending on whether the productdispenser handle 14 is actuated or the coin return device 30 is actuatedby the consumer. The accumulator box 21 structure is particularly shownin FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes a pair of sidewalls 72 fixed together by afront pin 73 and rear pin 74. Positioned between the sidewalls 72, andbetween the pins 73, 74, are a front wall 75 and a rear wall 76. Thesidewalls 72 and the front wall 75 and rear wall 76 cooperate with atiltable floor 77 that is adapted to pivot between an accept position,see FIG. 6, where coins on the floor 77 are directed toward the coin box70 and a reject position, see FIG. 7, where coins on the floor 77 aredirected toward the coin return chute 71.

The tiltable floor 77 is connected to each side 72 of the accumulatorbox 21 by a pivot link 78 pinned at one end, as at 79, to the sides 72of the box and at the other end, as at 80, to an ear 81 mounted to theunderneath of the floor 77. The pin 79 extends between the sidewalls 72of the box 21. One of the pivot links 78 mounts an arc follower stud 82intermediate its length which extends through an arcuate slot 83 in theside 72 of the accumulator box 21 adjacent the first means 22. The stud82 not only engages slot 83 in one of the sidewalls 72, but extendsbeyond that sidewall where it mounts a cam lug 88 positioned tocooperate with first means 22 as will be subsequently explained ingreater detail. A coil spring 84 around and carried by pin 79 isdisposed so that one end 85 bears against the arc follower stud 82 andthe other end 86 bears against a fixed ledge 87 mounted between theadjacent sidewalls 72. Hence, the pivot links 78 are continually urgedclockwise, see FIG. 6 by spring 84. Because the length of theaccumulator box floor 77 is greater than the distance between the front73 and rear 74 pins, see FIG. 2, and because in home" position the floorlightly rests on the front and back pins, as the pivot links 78 moveclockwise the floor is caused to tilt toward the coin box 70, see FIG.6, and as the pivot links move counterclockwise the floor is caused totilt toward the coin return chute 71, see FIG. 7.

The first means 22 interconnecting the product dispenser handle 14 withthe accumulator box is provided to direct the coins in the accumulatorbox to the coin box 70 when a product is dispensed. The first means 22is in the form of mechanical linkages that include a trip arm 92 fixedto bellcrank 63, and a coin accept link 93 pivotally connected at oneend to the trip arm 92 and pivotally connected at the other end to afloor stop arm 94. The floor stop arm 94 is pivotally mounted on stud 95to a sidewall 72 of the accumulator box. The floor stop arm 94 presentsan end 96 which abuts cam lug 88 to hold the tiltable floor 77 in thehorizontal or home position when the product dispenser handle 14 is atthe homgfposition as illust r ated in FIG. 2. Hence asthe productdispenser handle 14 is pulled away from the face 11 of the vendingmachine, the floor stop arm 94 is pivoted counterclockwise, see FIG. 4,which removes its end 96 from abutting engagement with the cam lug 88 onthe arc follower pin 82 and, thereby, permits the spring 84 to urge thepivot links.78 clockwise about point 79 which causes the accumulator boxfloor 77 to orient itself or tile toward the coin box 70, see FIG. 6.

The second means 24, also in the form of mechanical linkages, isprovided to interconnect the coin return device 30 with the accumulatorbox 21, the second means being capable of operating the accumulator boxto direct any coins therein to the coin return chute 71. Such secondmeans 24 include the coin return link 39 positioned substantiallyvertically and running from the top of the coin rejector 17 to the areaof the accumulator box 21. The coin return link 39 is mounted forvertical reciprocation in guides 101, 102, guide 101 being mounted tocoin rejector l7 and guide 102 being mounted to main plate 65. The coinreturn link 39 is continually biased upwardly by spring 103 fixed at oneend to the upper guide 101 and at the other end to stop pin 104 on thelink itself. The coin return link 39 mounts at its lower end a directionthumb 105 that also is adapted to cooperate with the cam lug 88 on arefollower stud 82 of the accumulator box 21 for orienting the accumulatorbox floor 77 toward the coin return chute 71, see FIGS. 5 and 7. Whenthe reject arm 34 of the coin return device 30 is pivotedcounterclockwise by pulling out the coin return plunger 12 from the face11 of the vending machine, the thumbs 36, 37 on the forearm of that armengage not only the coin rejectors actuator but also wheel 106 rotatablymounted to the top end of coin return link 39, Thus, as the coinrejector 17 is operated to flush any coins or slugs hung up therein, thecoin return link 39 is also depressed downwardly so that cam surface 107on direction thumb 105 engages the lug 88 of the arc follower pin 82 andcams it counterclockwise (against the force of spring 84) so that theaccumulator box floor 77 is tilted toward the coin return chute 71.

The interlock system 20 interconnects the credit device 19 and theproduct dispenser handle 14 to prevent the product dispenser from beingactuated until a total sum equal to the cost of a product is deposited.The interlock system 20 includes mechanical sensor means in the form ofa sensing arm 111 that is adapted to sense the position of notch 51 inthe selecting wheel 46 and to permit actuation of the product dispenserwhen that notch has moved to the full price position, see FIGS. 1-5. Theinterlock system 20 also includes the slide plate 67 that ismechanically interconnected with the product dispenser handle 14 and ismovable between a home position (see FIG. 2) and an extended position(See FIG. 4) the slide plate being so movable when the sensing arm 111is biased into the notch 51 in the selecting wheel 46. The slide plate67 is interconnected with the product dispenser handle 14 by means ofthe bellcrank 63 pivotally mounted to the base plate 65 The slide plate67 slides between its home and extended positions on studs 108 fixed tobase plate 65, the slide plate 67 being carried on those studs throughslots 109. The sensing arm 111 is pivoted on base plate stud 112 and iscontinually biased in the clockwise direction, as illustrated in FIG. 2,by spring 110 mounted to base plate 65 at one end and to the arm at theother end. The sensing arm 111 is positioned so that sensing finger 113rides just above the outer periphery 114 of the selecting wheel 46 untilnotch 51 is rotated underneath the finger 113. The other end of thesensing arm 111 is provided with a roller 115 that rides on the loweredge 116 of the slide plate 67 as the slide plate reciprocates betweenits home position, see FIG. 2, and its extended position, see FIG. 4.The slide plate 67 along its lower edge 116 is so configured that theroller 115 attached to the sensing arm 111 is always biased against thelower edge by spring 110 to keep finger 113 from rubbing on periphery114 of the selective wheel 46 as the slide plate is reciprocated. Thestraight line contour of the slide plate's lower edge 116 is interruptedby a notch 117 provided in that lower edge which is so positioned as topermit the sensing finger 113 to drop into the notch 51 in the selectingwheel 46 if that notch 51 is present underneath the sensing finger 113when the product dispenser handle 14 (and, hence, the slide plate 67) ismoved from the home position illustrated in FIG. 2 through theintermediate position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the extended positionillustrated in FIG. 4.

When the sensing arm 111 pivots clockwise and the sensing finger 113drops into the notch 51 of the selecting wheel 46, stud 118 on thesensing arm 111 engages the top surface of lock lever arm 119 to pivotlock lever arm counterclockwise about stud 120 fixed to base plate 65,see FIGS. 2-3. Lock arm 119 is located in the same vertical plane as theslide plate so that under normal conditions, and because the lock arm iscontinually biased counterclockwise by spring 122 fixed at one end 123to the arm and at the other end 124 to base plate 65, lock finger 121 isalways ready to engage lock notch 125 in the lower edge of the slideplate ifits is attempted to slide the slide plate from its home positionto its extended position without the selecting wheel notch 51 beingpresent underneath the sensing finger 113 of sensing arm 111. Hence, thecombination of the sensing arm 111 and the lock arm 119 cooperate toprovide slide plate locking means mechanically engaged with the slideplate 67 for preventing movement of the slide plate between its home andextended positions until the credit indicator 43 has moved to the fullprice position, see FIG. 2. When the credit indicator 43 is at the fullprice position, the sensor means in the form of the sensing arm 111disengages the locking means in the form of the lock arm 119 from theslide plate when the sensor means senses the credit indicator 43 at itsfull price position and, thereby, permits the product dispenser handle14 to be pulled and a product dispensed to the consumer.

The slide plate 67 also mounts first reset means in the form of resetfinger 129 for resetting the credit wheel 44,46 to the zero priceposition when the product dispenser is actuated. Such first reset meanscooperates, through a credit wheel reset assembly 130, with the creditwheel return pin 52. As mentioned before, the return pin 52 is linked tothe credit wheel 44,46 by means, not shown, for purposes of permittingthat wheel to be returned to the zero price position illustrated in FIG.2. The credit wheel reset assembly 130 including a plate 131 pivotallymounted to main plate 65 by stud 132, this plate 131 being continuallyurged in the counterclockwise direction by spring 133 fixed at one endto stud 134 and at the other end 135 to the plate 131. The fixed stud134 acts as a home position limit for the reset assembly plate. Thecredit wheel reset assembly 130 is also provided with a leaf spring 136positionable to engage the credit wheel return pin 52 when the plate 131is pivoted in the clockwise direction about stud 132. The leaf spring136 prevents undue shock loads from being transmitted to the creditdevice 19 when the product dispenser handle 14 is pulled rapidly by aconsumer. The credit wheel reset assembly 130 is caused to pivot in aclockwise direction and, hence, the leaf spring 136 is caused to engagethe credit wheel return pin 52 to return the credit device 19 to thezero price position, as the slide plate 67 moves from its home positionto its extended position and first reset finger 129 engages a shoulderedportion of stud 135 on the credit wheel reset assemblys plate 131, seeFIG. 4.

Second reset means has also been provided for returning the credit wheel44,46 to the zero price position when the coin return device 30 isactuated. The second reset means includes a second reset finger fixed tothe coin return link 39, that finger being positioned to engage a pin orstud 139 fixed to the credit wheel assembly's reset plate 131 and pivotit about its mounting stud 132. When pivoted thusly, the reset assembly130 is effective to engage the spring 136 with the credit wheel returnpin 52. In other words, when the return link 39 is depressed because ofoperation of the coin return device 30, see FIGS. 4 and 5, the resetassembly 131 will return the credit wheel to its nonaccumulated positionin the same manner as described when actuated by the first means resetfinger 129.

Specifically, as the coin return device 30 is actuated the return link39 is caused to be downwardly depressed, see FIG. 2, thereby causing thesecond reset finger 140 to engage and pivot the reset assembly 130which, in turn, engages the credit wheel return pin 52 and returns thecredit device to the zero price position.

Stop means is also associated with the interlock system and the coinreturn link 39 so that any coins in the accumulator box 21 cannot bedirected toward the coin return chute 71 at the same time the productdispenser handle 14 is being pulled by a consumer attempting to cheatthe machine. The stop means includes astop plate 141 mounted to theslide plate 67 and the stop pin 104 mounted to the coin return link 39.The stop plate 141 and stop pin 104 cooperate to prevent the coin returndevice 30 from being operated, that is, the coin return link 39 frombeing depressed, at the same time the slide plate 67 is moved from itshome position to its extended position by pulling on the productdispenser handle 14. Thus, in operation the stop plate 141 moves in apath substantially at right angles to the path followed by the stop pin104 at the intersection ofthose paths. The stop plate 141 is mounted tothe slide plate 67 by screws 142 and it will be noted that slots 143 areprovided to permit the stop plate to be adjusted relative to the slideplate so that the precise operational result can be achieved.

A jam arm 145, in the form of a bellcrank, is pivotally mounted to thebase plate 65 at elbow 146, the arm being continually biased in theclockwise direction by spring 147 that is fixed at one end to plate 65and at the other end to the bellcrank. A notch 149 is cut into the endof the upper arm 148, the arm 145 being positioned so that the notch 149is in the vicinity of the credit return pin 52 when the credit wheel44,46 is at the zero price position, see FIG. 2. At the end of theforearm 150 of the bellcrank 145 there is mounted a stop stud 151 thatis positionable to engage cam lug 88 of arc follower pin 82 of theaccumulator box 21 structure. When the floor 77 of the accumulator box21 is in the neutral or home position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, andbecause the stop stud 151 of the jam arm 145 is always biased againstthe arc follower pin 82 by spring 147, the notch 149 on the bellcrank145 is maintained just out of engagement with the return pin 52. Thus,when the floor 77 is in the normal operating or home attitudeillustrated in FIG. 2, as coins are credited and totaled by the creditwheel 44,46 the coin return pin 52 can pivot with the credit wheel aboutits center part 47 and, thereby, avoid the lock notch 149 on the jam arm145. However, when the floor 77 of the accumulator box 21 is tilted outof position when that floor is supposed to be in its home position, suchas when a coin is caught between the floors edge and the front pin 73 onwhich it normally rests when in the home position, see FIG. 8, the jamarm 145 is pivoted so that the notch 149 cups the credit wheel returnpin 52 because the arm 145 is continuously biased clockwise by spring147. Hence, upon subsequent deposit of coins by a consumer the creditwheel 44,46 will not be actuated incrementally to permit the actuationof the dispensing handle 14 and the coins will merely fall directly intothe coin accumulator box. Such a result will evidence to the customerthe need for actuating the coin return device 30, and he will thereforeactuate the device 30 to direct whatever coins are deposited in theaccumulator box 21 toward the coin return chute 71 (including the jammedcoin) so that the floor 77 of the accumulator box can return to itsnormal home or at rest position as illustrated in FIG. 2. If such a jamarm 145 were not present when a coin is jammed in place as shown in FIG.8, the credit indicator 43 and return pin 52 would then rotate in theirnormal manner as coins are deposited. Once the full price had beendeposited by a consumer the product dispenser handle 14 then could be'actuated by that consumer to obtain a product from the machine but,because the floor 77 of the accumulator box 21 is essentially jammedfrom movement into its coin box directing position as illustrated inFIG. 6, the coins would remain in the accumulator box 21. Thus, afterreceiving a product the consumer could then actuate the coin returndevice 30 to get his money back as well.

In operation of the escrow assembly of this invention for dispensing aproduct, as coins are deposited in the coin input slot 13 by a consumerthey pass down through the coin rejector 17, actuate the credit device19, and then pass onto the floor 77 of the accumulator box 21. As coinspass through the credit device 19 that device totals the coins received,thereby rotating the credit wheel 44,46 and credit wheel return pin 52clockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 2, from a zero position illustrated inFIG. 2 to a full price position illustrated in FIG. 3. At this point theproduct dispenser handle 14 may be actuated and, as it is pulled,bellcrank 63 draws the slide plate 67 from its home position, (see FIG.2) to an intermediate position where roller of the sensing arm 111 findsnotch 117 in the lower edge 116 of the slide plate 67 (see FIG. 3),thereby permitting the sensing finger 113 to find notch 51 in theselecting wheel 46 and draw with it the lock finger 121 oflock lever arm119 out oflock notch 125 of the slide plate, see FIG. 3. As the productdispenser continues to be pulled out from the face 11 of the vendingmachine, the slide plate 67 continues toward its extended positionillustrated in FIG. 4, thereby permitting the product dispenser to becompletely operated to dispense the product package to the consumer. Asthe slide plate 67 continues toward its extended position, the firstreset finger 129 engages stud of the credit wheel reset assembly 130 tocause leaf spring 136 to engage the credit wheel return pin 52 andreturn the credit indicator 43 to the zero price position, see FIGS. 3and 4. As the slide plate 67 and product dispenser handle 14 achievetheir extended most position, see FIG. 4, first linkage means 22 causesthe floor stop arm 94 to pivot and remove end stop 96 from engagementwith the cam lug 88 on the arc follower stud 82, thereby permittingspring 84 to urge the floor 77 of the accumulator box 21 into theposition illustrated in FIG. 6 so that coins on that floor can bedirected into the coin box 70 of the vending machine.

In operation of the escrow assembly of this invention for returningcoins deposited when no product is desired, the coin return device 30 isactuated which pivots coin reject arm 34 counterclockwise to actuate thecoin rejector 17 and depress the coin return link 39 simultaneously. Thecoin rejectors actuator arm 38 causes any coins hung up in the rejectorto pass down on to the floor 77 of the accumulator box 21 and the coinreturn link 39 causes the floor to be biased into an attitudeillustrated in FIG. 7 whereby the coins are directed into the coinreturn chute 71. The floor 77 is urged into the attitude illustrated inFIG. 7 by coin return thumb 105 (fixed to the end of coin return link39) engaging cam lug 88 of arc follower pin 82 and camming that pincounterclockwise in arc slot 83 against the bias of spring 84. Also, ascoin return link 39 is depressed through operation of the coin returnmeans, second reset finger 140 (also fixed to the coin return link 39)engages and pivots the credits reset assembly 130 which in turn engagesthe credit wheel return pin 52 and carries the return pin back to thezero price position from whatever intermediate position it may haveattained after the coins had been deposited. Having fully described thepreferred embodiment of my invention, what I desire to claim and protectby Letters Patent is:

Iclaim:

1. In a vending machine having a product dispenser, a coin rejector, acredit device for totaling the coins deposited in the vending machinebetween product purchases, and a mechanical interlock systeminterconnecting said credit device and the product dispenser to preventthat product dispenser from being actuated until a total sum equal tothe cost of a product is deposited, the improvement comprising anaccumulator box having a tiltable floor spring urged toward one of acoin return chute position and a coin box position and normallypositioned to receive temporarily the coins as they are deposited afterthey have been totaled by said credit device, said tiltable floor beingadapted to direct the coins either toward a coin return chute or towarda coin box depending on its tilt position, a floor stop arm pivotablymounted to a fixed wall, said floor stop arm having an end which abuts acam lug fixed to said tiltable floor so as to maintain said floor in ahorizontal position when the product dispenser is not actuated, and v acoin accept link connected between the product dispenser and the floorstop arm, said link pivoting the floor stop arm out of abuttingengagement when said product dispenser is actuated after the requiredcoinage is deposited to permit the tiltable floor to tilt toward thecoin box and deposit the coinage in said coin box as a product isdischarged.

2. In a vending machine having a product dispenser, a coin rejector, acredit device for totaling the coins deposited in the vending machinebetween product purchases, and a mechanical interlock systeminterconnecting said credit device and said product dispenser to preventthat product dispenser from being actuated until a total sum equal tothe cost of a product is deposited, the improvement comprising anaccumulator box having a tiltable floor spring urged toward one of acoin return chute position and a coin box position and normallypositioned to receive temporarily the coins as they are deposited afterthey have been totaled by said credit device, said tiltable floor beingadapted to direct the coins either toward a coin return chute or towarda coin box depending on its tilt position,

a coin return link mounted for reciprocable movement and spring urgedaway from said tiltable floor, said coin return link being movabletoward said tiltable floor as said coin rejector is operated, and

a direction thumb fixed to the coin return link and adapted to cooperatewith a cam lug fixed to said tiltable floor, said thumb engaging saidcam lug to allow said tiltable floor to pivot toward the coin returnchute as the coin rejector is operated.

3. An improvement as set forth in claim 2 including a reset fingermounted to said coin return link, said reset finger engaging a returnactuator connected to said credit device to return said credit device tothe zero price position when the coin return means is operated.

